Cash-strapped PCB wants more revenue share from India-Pakistan games at ICC events

New Delhi, July 5: India-Pakistan cricket clashes are one of the most anticipated games during ICC tournaments. Previous records are shattered and new ones rewritten in television history, whenever the arch-rivals lock horns with each-other in the ICC tournaments.

Huge turnout of crowds and huge viewerships on television ensure good revenue for the broadcasters, ICC as well as the respective boards for India-Pakistan cricket match is mother of all battles.

File photo: Indian cricketers celebrating fall of a wicket against Pakistan.

Even during ICC World T20 2016, India-Pakistan match tickets were sold like hot cakes as the craze for epic encounter tickets reached a crescendo. Almost 2.5 lakh people had registerd for the most sought match at Kolkata's Eden Gardens' which had a capacity of 65,000.

According to a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Indo-Pak ICC WC match tickets were sold way quicker than any other major events like Olympics and Wimbledon. Since, there is no international cricket being played in Pakistan, a cash-strapped PCB now wants to raise fund through India-Pakistan matches at ICC tournaments.

As per an ESPNcricinfo report, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has suggested that the Pakistan board should receive a 'higher percentage of the income' from matches against India at ICC events.

According to a paper circulated among the PCB's directors - accessed by ESPNcricinfo - Khan presented the suggestion while making a strong case for a support system for the board at the recent ICC annual conference in Edinburgh.

"Pakistan continues to play India in ICC events. The interest and finances that these generate are unparalleled. Tickets for the World Cup matches in Adelaide and Calcutta sold out quicker than other major sporting events - Wimbledon, the Olympics being two examples," the paper stated.

"The financial income in ICC championships benefits enormously from India - Pakistan clashes. Currently, all members benefit from the windfall from these matches. [The] Chairman proposed that Pakistan should be given a higher percentage of this income."

This was one of the few suggestions made by PCB to ease the cash-strapped-board's financial burden.

The arch-rivals will now face each-other on June 4, 2017 during the Champions Trophy 2017 in England.